Save or spend: Spend
The wrong chair will give you improper support, which can lead to chronic back, shoulder and neck pain, says Jack Dennerlein, associate ergonomics professor at the Harvard School of Public Health.You want one with adjustments for seat height, arm rests and seat pan (cost: $700 and up).
"The pan should be short enough that your rear end comfortably reaches the chair back, and there should be a few fingers of space between the knee back and the pan," he says.
Look for full back coverage and wheels so you don't "get stuck in one posture."
Herman Miller remains the gold standard manufacturer, though Dennerlein also likes Steelcase and Humanscale.
